Start construction of 770 homes in Cartesius Utrecht

Marja Appelman (Director of Housing Construction at the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations) and Susanne Schilderman (Alderman at the Municipality of Utrecht), together with the Cartesius development consortium consisting of Ballast Nedam Development and MRP, symbolically ushered in the start of construction of the second phase of Cartesius Utrecht. This phase of the area development will feature a total of 770 new homes. Including social rental flats from housing corporation Portaal and the unique flats above the monumental CAB from CBRE Investment Management. The CAB itself will be developed into the "Living Room of the Quarter" with a supermarket, catering, the CAB Lab for research and experimentation and other facilities.

From left to right Onno Dwars, Marja Appelman, Susanne Schilderman and Paul Trip

Working visit Director of Housing Construction Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations

Prior to the symbolic start of construction, Marja Appelman of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations paid a working visit to Cartesius in Utrecht. Area developers MRP and Ballast Nedam Development showed the director around together with alderman Schilderman. The director also held talks with various stakeholders in the area including mid-tenants, NS Stations, real estate investors CBRE Investment Management and Achmea Real Estate and housing corporation Portaal.

Marja Appelman, Housing Construction Director of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations: "Today, besides the start of construction of 770 homes, we are also marking the beginning of a healthy and sustainable society in Cartesius. The energy and enthusiasm with which all these parties are putting the health of the future residents at the heart of the project is inspiring."

She also visited the unique Cartesius Craamkamer, the place where trees and greenery are temporarily stored to be (re)placed in the area later. The Craamkamer is in operation before, during and after construction in order to preserve as much mature greenery as possible and eventually reposition it. Cartesius Utrecht will have its own Cartesius Park. A green oasis in the middle of the district that will connect to a Green Loop around Cartesius. This loop will also connect other parts of the city to this new urban district. At least 30% of the district will be green to promote climate adaptation and biodiversity in the area. Eijkelboom told more about this topic during the visit.

Around 3,000 sustainable homes right next to Zuilen Station

Cartesius will eventually house over 3,000 homes in an easily accessible inner-city location. There is currently an acute shortage of housing in the Netherlands, so these homes will bring relief. The realisation of the second phase (770 homes) is characterised by a large number of different housing types and segments ranging from social to free-sector rental and owner-occupied homes. In the overall plan, room has been made for a lot of variety and thus a wide range of diverse target groups, creating an inclusive society. Care has also been taken to ensure that the city district will soon have a good mix of different housing needs, enabling everyone to find a suitable home in every stage of life and make a residential career within the district. Phases two to five, with over 2,500 homes, are being developed by Ballast Nedam Development and MRP.

Paul Trip (Special Advisor Development MRP) "Over the past few years, we have worked very hard with the project team, the municipality of Utrecht and NS Stations to make the start of construction possible for the diverse, sustainable and healthy Cartesius urban district in Utrecht. It's important that we can start now to achieve a good mix of different housing types in Utrecht, enabling everyone to find a suitable home at every stage of life."

Read here the full Dutch press release.